In its most recent step in the battle against swine flu, UF will require all courses to have e-Learning sites to assist students who have contracted the virus.
All course instructors will be able to access the e-Learning site Monday, according to a memo sent by Andrew McCollough, associate Provost for Internet Technology.
By Tuesday, nine auditoriums will be equipped with Mediasite, a tool that will assist in lecture recording.
According to UF spokesman Steve Orlando, the additional e-Learning use will not add any costs to the university.
While the e-Learning requirement will allow students with the virus to keep up with class, UF is also taking measures to prevent the flu from invading the Student Body.
According to Orlando, the Division of Housing has spent about $3,500 on hand sanitizer for the campus.
There are also three dorm rooms where the roommates of infected students can live while the sick student recovers, he said.
GatorWell, a division of the Student Health Care Center, operates tents in high traffic areas such as the Reitz Union and Weimer Hall to hand out free hand sanitizer and flu prevention fliers.
Orlando said it all comes down to individual responsibility.
"We ask that you do three things," he said. "One is to cover your mouth while you sneeze and cough, two is to have good hygiene and use hand sanitizer, and lastly, if you're sick, stay home."
Orlando also said professors are encouraged to be lenient with attendance policies when it comes to sick students.
Absence is one factor that economics professor Mark Rush, whose class is recorded and posted online, has taken into consideration.
"Every year, there is a flu virus, and so far none have impacted my class," Rush said. "My concern about H1N1 is that it might turn out to be significantly more contagious then the typical flu, in which case there is a significant possibility of it affecting UF classes."
Rush said he believes UF will do its best to combat the virus.
"I am hoping and praying that the H1N1 won't turn out to be more fatal than the typical flu," he said.
Populations most susceptible to the virus include but are not limited to universities, schools and health care personnel. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 20 to 40 percent of these populations may contract the H1N1 virus.
Dr. Phillip Barkley, director of student health at UF, has simple guidelines for all students feeling flulike symptoms.
"Stay at least six feet away from other people, and don't go to the dining hall," Barkley said. "Have someone bring you some food."
Barkley also recommended taking Tylenol and staying home for 24 hours after fever goes away.
For information on swine flu, visit UF's Swine Flu Task Force.
